Ambassador Deborah Birx, who was confirmed as the new U.S. global AIDS coordinator last week, released a statement on the principles of PEPFAR’s public health approach. She notes, “We have delivered results by following sound science, focusing on impact, targeting efforts where the virus is most prevalent, and grounding our work in approaches that protect the human rights of all people. PEPFAR is a public health program, and the principles of good public health demand that we strive to reach all affected populations with core HIV services even — and, I would argue, especially — when facing difficult cultural contexts, severe stigma and discrimination, or challenging security environments. These principles have underpinned PEPFAR from the outset, and we will never waver from them…” (4/11).